Canon 7D Review

The Canon EOS 7D is without question, the best APS-C sensor-sized DSLR Canon has ever produced (as of this review date of course). And of course, "best" is a vague word. Let me use seven or eight thousand words to clarify that sentence.

The 7D is the first model of a new camera line. Under Canon's current naming scheme, the first clue as to where the 7D fits in Canon's lineup is in the model number itself. The fewer digits in front of the D, the higher the camera line. Once 1 digit is reached, the lower the number, the higher the camera line (this is reversed for the zzD, zzzD and zzzzD lines). Canon's 1D-Series line is the best available. So in this case, we have a single digit line (the best), but a higher number within the single digit lineup. In short, this is a very high end DSLR and the only single-digit model with an APS-C-sized sensor.

Another fact is that select features found in lower end camera lines can top those found in the best lines. And that is clearly the case with the 7D compared to the other currently (as of this review date) available lines including the 1-Series bodies. Here is a quick summary of the new and advanced featuresfound in this DSLR:

• New 18-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor
• New 19-point Autofocus system with new AF area selection modes including Spot and Zone AF mode
• Dual DIGIC 4 Imaging Processors with 14-bit A/D data conversion driving 8 fps capture
• New 63-zone iFCL (Intelligent Focus, Color, Luminance) Metering System
• New Intelligent Viewfinder with liquid crystal overlay and near 100% coverage
• ISO speed settings from 100-6400 (expandable to 12,800)
• Full 1080p HD video capture with selectable frame rates of 24p, 25p or 30p (50p or 60p at 720p HD and SD)
• New buttons including the Quick Control Button and a dedicated Live View/Video Recording button
• New 3" solid structure Clear View II LCD screen with 920,000 dot/VGA resolution
• New Integrated Speedlite Transmitter for control of multiple off-camera EOS Speedlites
• New built-in Dual Axis Electronic Level featuring an artificial horizon showing both horizontal roll and vertical pitch
• Weather sealing and solid build
• With the new WFT-E5A wireless file transmitter, new wireless connectivity features

Quick function:-

Contained in the bulge in the top of the 7D viewfinder is a built-in flash as seen in the ready-to-use position above along with a Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens mounted. The Canon 7D is the highest-end Canon EOS DSLR model to sport a built-in flash, but what is really a big deal is that this flash includes an Integrated Speedlite Transmitter for control of multiple off-camera EOS Speedlites. NoCanon 580EX II Flash or Canon ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter is needed to completely control as many remote flashes as desired.

Canon 7D Review Update

On June 28, 2012, Canon announced Canon EOS Firmware Upgrade Version 2.0.X. This is a major update to the previous firmware version with the following EOS 7D features being added/updated:

• Maximum Burst Rate for Continuous Shooting extended to 130 JPEG Large/Fine and 25 RAW (from RAW 126 and 15)
• GPS Receiver GP-E2 compatibility added
• Manual Audio Level Adjustments added - 64 levels
• Maximum Limit for ISO Auto Limit now set by user (ISO 400-6400) - formerly set at ISO 3200
• In-camera RAW Image Processing
• In-camera JPEG Image Resizing
• In-camera Ratings
• Quick Control During Playback
• Customization of File Names
• Time Zone Settings
• Improved Scrolling of Magnified Images

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II was first. The Canon EOS Rebel T1i was second. And the Canon EOS 7D is now the third Canon DSLR to be given the HD video feature. While it is not a perfect-for-everyone video package, the 7D, with its huge-to-video-camera-standards sensor, delivers impressive video image quality. As I write this, Canon issued a press release regarding NBC using the 7D and 5D II for capturing the Saturday Night Live show's intro. The large sensor combined with the huge range of lenses available gives even those on a tight budget the ability to create incredible video projects utilizing shallow DOF and low/available light. Press the START/STOP button and get started.

What you get with the 7D is most similar to the 5D II's feature set. Here is the list: Full HD video capture at 1920 x 1080 resolution (1080p) with selectable frame rates of 24p (for that cinema-style look), 25p or 30p. The EOS 7D will also record 720p HD at 50p or 60p (59.94) and SD video at frame rates of 50p or 60p (59.94). The 7D includes a built-in monaural microphone (gets the job done) and a 3.5mm jack for an external stereo microphone such as the Rode Stereo Video Mic. In-camera video trimming is a new feature.

Summary of EOS 7D Mark II Features

• 20.2 Megapixel CMOS APS-C Sensor supporting next generation Dual Pixel CMOS sensor-based AF
• 10.0 fps continuous shooting for up to 130 JPG/31 RAW frames
• Dual DIGIC 6 Processors
• Highly customizable AF system featuring 65 All Cross Type AF Points with f/8 center point sensitive to -3 EV extreme low-light conditions
• ISO 100-16000 with expansion to 51200
• Built-in GPS receiver with a digital compass records location information (longitude, latitude, elevation, direction and UTC time) to EXIF
• Improved custom controls with built-in Intervalometer and bulb timer
• 60 fps 1080p video, speed and sensitivity-customizable Movie Servo AF, MOV and MP4 recording formats and uncompressed HDMI out
• Magnesium alloy body, shutter durability rated up to 200,000 cycles and enhanced dust and weather resistance
• EOS Scene Detection System features a new 150,000-pixel RGB+IR Metering Sensor for improved precision
• 3.0-inch Clear View II LCD monitor (approximately 1,040,000 dots)
• Flicker Mode adjusts shutter release timing to avoid flickering light issues
• Dual Memory Card Slots supporting one CF (UDMA Mode 7) and one SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) memory card
• 100% view, 1.00x magnification Intelligent Viewfinder II
• Distortion correction joins Canon's previously introduced in-camera chromatic aberration and peripheral illumination correction
• New LP-E6N Battery and Battery Grip BG-E16.